The Cabeza de Vaca family traced its origin to a humble shepherd named Martín Alaja, in Andalusia
who was ennobled by King Alfonso IX in 1212. Authors give different accounts of the reason for this royal favour, but in the more renown , when King Alfonso VIII's army found itself trapped by the Moors in a remote and rugged mountain region, the shepherd Martin revealed to them a little-known mountain pass. The route was identified by the severed head of a cow, the only remains after wolves had devoured the carcass. Guided by this landmark, the Christian troops escaped their predicament, caught the Muslim forces by surprise, and went on to win the celebrated Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa in 1212. In gratitude, the king rewarded Martin, giving him surname Cabeza de Vaca ('Cow's Head') and granted him noble status in recognition of the zeal and loyalty with which he had served him.